Harry Taylor (engineer)
Encyclopedia
Harry Taylor was a U.S. Army officer who fought in World War I
, and who served for a time as Chief of Engineers
.
, and graduated from the United States Military Academy
in 1884 and commissioned in the Corps of Engineers
.
, and New York City
, Taylor served from 1891 to 1900 on fortifications and rivers and harbors construction work in Oregon
and Washington. Later he pursued similar work in New England
and New York. Transferred to the Philippines
, he supervised all fortification work there in 1904–05. Taylor was district engineer in New London, Connecticut
, from 1906 to 1911. He then headed the River and Harbor Division in the Office of the Chief of Engineers
for five years.
During World War I
he served as Chief Engineer, American Expeditionary Force
s in France (mid-1917 to mid-1918). In this capacity he supervised the construction of railways, barracks, wharves, and shelters throughout France. Taylor was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal
and the French Légion d'honneur
(Legion of Honor).
After serving as Assistant Chief of Engineers six years, he was named Major General, Chief of Engineers
, on June 19, 1924. Wilson Dam
was completed during his tenure. General Taylor retired June 26, 1926. He died from pneumonia on January 27, 1930, in Washington, D.C., and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery
.
In 1943, the navy transport ship USS General Harry Taylor (AP-145)
was named in his honor.
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, and who served for a time as Chief of Engineers
Chief of Engineers
The Chief of Engineers commands the US Army Corps of Engineers. As a staff officer at The Pentagon, the Chief advises the Army on engineering matters and serves as the Army's topographer and the proponent for real estate and other related engineering programs....
.
Early Life
Taylor was born in Tilton, New HampshireTilton, New Hampshire
Tilton is a town located on the Winnipesaukee River in Belknap County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 3,567 at the 2010 census. It includes the village of Lochmere. Tilton is home to the Tilton School, a private preparatory school.-History:...
, and graduated from the United States Military Academy
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
in 1884 and commissioned in the Corps of Engineers
United States Army Corps of Engineers
The United States Army Corps of Engineers is a federal agency and a major Army command made up of some 38,000 civilian and military personnel, making it the world's largest public engineering, design and construction management agency...
.
Military Career
After serving in engineer offices in Wilmington, North CarolinaWilmington, North Carolina
Wilmington is a port city in and is the county seat of New Hanover County, North Carolina, United States. The population is 106,476 according to the 2010 Census, making it the eighth most populous city in the state of North Carolina...
, and New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, Taylor served from 1891 to 1900 on fortifications and rivers and harbors construction work in Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
and Washington. Later he pursued similar work in New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
and New York. Transferred to the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
, he supervised all fortification work there in 1904–05. Taylor was district engineer in New London, Connecticut
New London, Connecticut
New London is a seaport city and a port of entry on the northeast coast of the United States.It is located at the mouth of the Thames River in New London County, southeastern Connecticut....
, from 1906 to 1911. He then headed the River and Harbor Division in the Office of the Chief of Engineers
Chief of Engineers
The Chief of Engineers commands the US Army Corps of Engineers. As a staff officer at The Pentagon, the Chief advises the Army on engineering matters and serves as the Army's topographer and the proponent for real estate and other related engineering programs....
for five years.
During World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
he served as Chief Engineer, American Expeditionary Force
American Expeditionary Force
The American Expeditionary Forces or AEF were the United States Armed Forces sent to Europe in World War I. During the United States campaigns in World War I the AEF fought in France alongside British and French allied forces in the last year of the war, against Imperial German forces...
s in France (mid-1917 to mid-1918). In this capacity he supervised the construction of railways, barracks, wharves, and shelters throughout France. Taylor was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal
Distinguished Service Medal (United States)
The Distinguished Service Medal is the highest non-valorous military and civilian decoration of the United States military which is issued for exceptionally meritorious service to the government of the United States in either a senior government service position or as a senior officer of the United...
and the French Légion d'honneur
Légion d'honneur
The Legion of Honour, or in full the National Order of the Legion of Honour is a French order established by Napoleon Bonaparte, First Consul of the Consulat which succeeded to the First Republic, on 19 May 1802...
(Legion of Honor).
After serving as Assistant Chief of Engineers six years, he was named Major General, Chief of Engineers
Chief of Engineers
The Chief of Engineers commands the US Army Corps of Engineers. As a staff officer at The Pentagon, the Chief advises the Army on engineering matters and serves as the Army's topographer and the proponent for real estate and other related engineering programs....
, on June 19, 1924. Wilson Dam
Wilson Dam (Alabama)
Wilson Dam is a dam spanning the Tennessee River between Lauderdale County and Colbert County in the U.S. state of Alabama. It impounds Wilson Lake. It is one of nine Tennessee Valley Authority dams on the Tennessee River...
was completed during his tenure. General Taylor retired June 26, 1926. He died from pneumonia on January 27, 1930, in Washington, D.C., and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington County, Virginia, is a military cemetery in the United States of America, established during the American Civil War on the grounds of Arlington House, formerly the estate of the family of Confederate general Robert E. Lee's wife Mary Anna Lee, a great...
.
In 1943, the navy transport ship USS General Harry Taylor (AP-145)
USS General Harry Taylor (AP-145)
USS General Harry Taylor was a in the United States Navy in World War II named in honor of U.S. Army Chief of Engineers Harry Taylor. She served for a time as army transport USAT General Harry Taylor, and was reacquired by the navy in 1950 as USNS General Harry Taylor .Placed in reserve in 1958,...
was named in his honor.